Elbow Lane Farm

Project overview

The developers of 17 new two-, three- and four-bedroom properties in Hertford Heath, Hertfordshire, were keen to utilise renewable energy for the heating and to future-proof the off-grid site. Having worked with Viessmann on numerous projects previously, developer and Director of Elliott James Homes Limited, Eamon Bourke, was confident in its proposal for air source heat pumps to generate 100 per cent of the properties' heating and hot water. The Elbow Lane Farm development is now fully occupied by homeowners and tenants.

Understanding customer demands

Preferring a renewable heating technology over LPG or oil, Bourke consulted Viessmann, who specified air source heat pumps as a low cost and low carbon heating solution.

Neil Ring, Managing Director of Haven Homes Solutions, fitted the heat pumps on the Elbow Lane Farm development. He has seen their popularity grow particularly on smaller new developments: “The majority of heat pump installations we do now are on sites of between two and 17 homes. Good developers are more conscious of sustainability, and recognising that potential buyers are looking for homes with low running costs. Just as more new builds will come with electric vehicle charging points, renewable heating technologies are playing an increasing factor in purchasing decisions.”

Finding the right heat pumps

The Viessmann Vitocal 222-A and 200-A heat pumps were chosen for their A+++ energy efficiency rating and low operating costs; two key drivers which Bourke knows to be at the forefront of potential homebuyers’ minds. Airborne noise at full and partial load operation is also significantly reduced in these models due to a high-quality and sound-optimised fan in combination with an intelligent speed control.

Each of 17 properties has a single heat pump installed, fitted in phases as the properties were built and occupied. The pumps provide year-round heating and domestic hot water, without the use of a back-up system.